Vladimir Putin reveals plans for Tsirkon missile systems, names Russia’s biggest threats

Vladimir Putin has revealed how a new super weapon is going help Russia tackle what he says are the biggest threats facing his nation.

Russian President Vladimir Putin has promised unparalleled new weapons for his nation’s military.

Making the announcement during Russia’s Navy Day on Sunday, Putin said the Tsirkon missile systems would be delivered to naval forces within the coming months.

The declaration coincided with the ratification of a naval doctrine that says the determination of the US and its allies to “preserve their dominance in the world, including its oceans”, along with the expansion of NATO, are the biggest threats facing Russia.

“It will suffice to mention the latest Tsirkon missile systems which have no equal in the world for which there are no barriers,” Putin said.

Putin said the new weapons had “no equal in the world”. Picture: Olga Maltseva/ AFP.

The Russian armed forces previously indicated that the Tsirkon missile could strike both ground and sea targets, and was being developed at the renowned rocket-design bureau NPO Mashinostroyenia near Moscow, Newsweek reports.

The first successful tests of the new-generation missile were launched in July 2021, with Russia’s Defence Ministry claiming they could fly at seven times the speed of sound and hit a target more than 350km away.

At the time, NATO said the development was “highly destabilising” and posed significant risks of decreasing “security and stability across the Euro-Atlantic area”.

“NATO allies are committed to responding in a measured way to Russia’s growing array of conventional and nuclear-capable missiles,” its statement said.

“We will not mirror what Russia does but we will maintain credible deterrence and defence to protect our nations.”

Russia’s biggest threats identified

Russia’s Naval Day celebrations also saw Putin sign a doctrine which listed the United States’ quest to dominate the oceans and NATO’s expansion as the biggest threats facing Russia.

This included Washington’s “strategic objective to dominate the world’s oceans” and NATO military infrastructure moving towards Russia’s borders.

“Russia’s independent internal and external policy faces countermeasures from the United States and its allies, who aim to preserve their dominance in the world, including its oceans,” the doctrine said.

The naval doctrine listed the expansion of NATO as one of the biggest threats to Russia. Picture: Mateusz Slodkowski/ AFP.

Moscow views the Western military alliance – the Soviet Union’s enemy during the Cold War – as an existential threat, using Ukraine’s NATO membership hopes to justify the invasion of its neighbour that began on February 24.

The 55-page document says Moscow will seek to strengthen its leading position in exploring the Arctic and its mineral resources, maintaining “strategic stability” there by bolstering the potential of the northern and Pacific fleets.

It also mentions Russia’s desire to develop a “safe and competitive” sea route from Europe to Asia, known as the Northeast Passage, via the country’s Arctic coastline and ensure it is usable throughout the year.

“Today’s Russia cannot exist without a strong fleet … and will defend its interests in the world’s oceans firmly and with resolution,” the doctrine added.

– With AFP

Originally published as Vladimir Putin reveals plans for Tsirkon missile systems, names Russia’s biggest threats